IATA at Boston

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the programme and speakers for the World Air Transport Summit (WATS), which starts next Sunday (3 October), Boston (USA).

Media attendance is very much dependent on approval by individual embassies dealing with a Presidential Proclamation for the event.

As things stand BTN will not be represented. Our application was turned down by the embassy with no appeal possible.  Anthony Concil, Director Corporate Communications, IATA, explains: “As I understand it, each case is judged individually and without standard criteria across the missions that are making the decisions. We have had some successes in London and, like this, some rejections". Had the event been in November a simple ESTA would have sufficed.#####

“I’m very excited that the World Air Transport Summit will again take place as a live event for the first time since June 2019. Virtual forums are no substitute to the value created when people meet face to face. As we plan for the industry recovery from Covid-19 and address critical climate change issues, the in-person discussions and debates among the industry’s top leaders and stakeholders will be particularly significant,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, this his first time in the role.

Session topics include addressing the challenge of climate change, safely reconnecting the world during Covid-19, diversity and inclusion in aviation, collaborating with value chain partners, and air cargo. The always popular CEO Insight Debate will return, moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest, anchor of Quest Means Business.

Aviation’s response to climate change will top the agenda. The keynote address will be delivered by Rachel Kyte, Dean of the Fletcher School, Tufts University and former special representative of the UN Secretary-General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All.  Kyte previously was the World Bank Group Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change, leading the run-up to the Paris Agreement.

View the full media programme including the list of speakers.

www.iata.org/contentassets/2d33742eb3744d27be2b9f3b1abaacd3/agm2021_media_agenda.pdf

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